Love, Family, and Celebration!

Maliana ~

If we ever have any doubts about you listening to our stories and advice, we just have to remember this. One night Daddy and I saw a picture of someone smoking a cigar, at which point you turned to Daddy and said, “Don’t smoke cigars because you get sick and die like Lao Lao’s Daddy.” It’s been a couple months (at least) since this topic was brought up, but here you are able to repeat it back to us as advice to keep US safe. Wow! Maybe we do have some hope for your teenage years?

And speaking of hope, Daddy and I got a much needed dose this week too. In the middle of work, raising kids, appointments, family demands, personal commitments, social pressures, and just life in general, it can be easy to get caught up in it all and let your marriage take a backseat. What I mean by that is, Daddy and I had nearly forgotten to work much at all on our relationship lately, which resulted in a disconnect that had really taken its toll. Luckily, we put everything on hold, called up for reinforcements (aka Memaw and Papaw) to keep you occupied, and had a really good talk at a cozy little Italian joint nearby. It was definitely what we needed after so many months of neglecting each other. And it’s interesting how simple an act it was, but how deep the impact it had on improving not only our relationship but how we viewed all of the other stresses in our life once WE were put right again. It was a nice reminder of how important it is to maintain a level of open and honest conversation with those you love on a regular basis. It makes a world of difference. And all of those fairy tales about how easy love and marriage are…well, they’re a load of crap honey. It’s not always rainbows and unicorns. But like I said in last week’s post, if you can find someone who loves you for you, then all of the hard work and difficult conversations are totally worth it. Not only in marriage but in your friendships as well. Nothing should be difficult all the time, but don’t shy away from speaking up, being honest and feeling a little vulnerable at times as a way to work things out with those that really matter. In the long run, you won’t regret it.

When we came home to relieve Memaw and Papaw you were doing well, but then became pretty upset when we told you it was time for bed. Actually you became really upset…big old elephant tears and all. I think you were just really tired, but it was so sad to see. I sat with you and had you take deep breaths, looked into your eyes while I rocked you and sang the song “Lullaby” that always helped when you were younger. It was another one of those moments between you and I. You lay there looking at me, slowly calming down, and then eventually closing your heavy eyelids until you were almost asleep. I love that I can still soothe you like that. I hope I always can on some level.

On Friday night we headed over to Uncle Joe and Aunt Tina’s for dinner and to spend time with their families. Tina’s mom and sister, and Joe’s mom, were there too. It was nice to see and be able to hug them all. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, Aunt Tina lost her father just two weeks ago. Then Uncle Joe had to put his dog Scootie down this week, and his mother Ann just lost her own sister. It’s been a tremendously tough time for all of them. You and I made “apple smiles” (basically we sliced red apples into thin wedges, then smeared peanut butter on the top, and placed baby marshmallows on that, and finished it with another red apple wedge on top and voila – they looked like creepy little grinning mouths ~ too bad I didn't take a picture) which you had fun making and also brought some chuckles to the gathering. Thankfully you kids were busy enthusiastically playing all night, which allowed the adults to drink wine, talk and laugh. If nothing else, hopefully everyone got to feel a little more normal that night. 

Ann (Joe's mom), Nora (Tina's sister), and Catherine (Tina's mom)

Uncle Joe, Daddy, Pete and Amy (Joe's brother and sis in law),
and Gail (Joe's sister)

always good for a silly picture
(Tina's dear friend Stevanna in the middle)

If our week was full of ups and downs, Saturday was reserved only for celebration. The day had finally arrived for your 3^rd Annual Family Day party. And was it ever epic! Nearly everyone was able to make it and there was nothing but craziness and laughter all day and evening. By the time you went to bed you had nearly lost your voice from all of the squealing and screaming. The sign of a good party for sure. I don’t think it could have gone any better, but I’ll let the following pictures speak for themselves.

thank you to your soon to be teacher, Ms. Beth, for making the cake,
cupcakes, and a super cool fresh fruit watermelon basket!

Uncle Ross and Wai Gong

Ggma and Memaw Lisa

it's funny how there always seems to be
some form of this picture when you two are together

Papaw did a great job on the grill

Lao Lao and Audrey Ayi

Uncle Blaize graciously climbed up into your loft and
drew a portrait of you on the mini etch a sketch

Uncle Joe and Aunt Tina

me with Audrey and my mom...two of my favorite ladies

Aunt Lindsey and your soon to be Uncle Jeff,
and cousins Cate and Ellie

best neighbors ~ Mark and Jenny

Papaw and his brother Pat

Aunt Connie and Uncle Pat

Connie and Memaw

Uncle Kevin, Aunt Beth, and photo bomb Daddy

Malik (Roman's friend) and Roman

Mark, Jenny, and Lali (expressing their joy Lali finally came
home from her volleyball team's trip to OBX...ha!)

silly uncles Flint and Forge

you girls were so anxious for Aunt Lindsey to blow
up that innertube!

Aunt Tina and Erin having a moment

Abby doing her patented "nudge the elbow" move
so Wai Gong would drop some of his food

blam! gotcha Uncle Ross!

paying it forward...Uncle Ross sneak attack soaking
Wai Gong while he ate dinner

for some reason you thought it would help to squat
each time you blew bubbles

playroom = disaster area

Lindsey and Audrey

Joe, Tina, Lindsey, and Audrey

duck faces

Cake Time!
I see blue teeth in your future...

We love you so much Monkey Buns!

Lali, Mali, and photo bomb Memaw

crazy cousins ~ the pool was a huge hit!

before the mayhem of our party game

prepping...

Papaw was such a good sport

good Lord what happened?

horns!

after the mayhem of our party game...so funny!

you were smart and watched the craziness safely
from the arms of Audrey Ayi

and took advantage of the leftover cheese puffs

the boys couldn't wait to get in the pool!
Romey didn't even take off his socks first, ha ha!

chug! chug! chug!!

stick 'em up!

what are you up to??

ahhh...water bombing the guests on the lower deck.
if I would have known that, I wouldn't have let you
back in when Wai Gong turned the hose on you!

getting ready to help Wai Gong light the Chinese floating sky lantern

And here you can watch the Chinese sky lantern launch ~ so cool!

and topped off the evening with candle light and beer on the deck
after most everyone had gone home...a great night.

On Sunday, all three of us were pretty pooped from the party. We had a nice and relaxing lazy Sunday (after the big clean up…which actually rivaled some of Daddy and I’s college days’ parties!)

As we lounged around the house, Daddy and I just couldn’t stop talking about how wonderful it had all gone and how much we love and enjoy our family. All of them. And it struck me too that we have not done more celebrating in all of our lives together than since you came into our family. You’ve given us all a reason to smile more, laugh more, gather more, and ultimately appreciate each other more too. And that’s what it’s all about. We are so blessed.

Happy Family Day (once again)!

Love,

Mama